A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to establish or expand programs to implement evidence-aligned practices in health care settings for the purpose of reducing the suicide rates of covered individuals, and for other purposes

Progress

Timeline

• Mar 25Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summary

**What it does:** This bill would allow the Department of Health and Human Services to give grants to healthcare facilities to create or expand suicide prevention programs. These programs must use evidence-based practices (methods proven effective through research). **Who it affects:** - Healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, etc.) that could receive grant funding - Patients at risk of suicide who would receive improved care - Healthcare workers who would implement these programs - "Covered individuals" (the bill would specify which groups, likely including veterans, seniors, or other at-risk populations) **What would change:** - More healthcare settings would have dedicated suicide prevention programs - Patients would have better access to proven suicide prevention interventions - Healthcare providers would receive resources and training for suicide prevention - Potentially reduced suicide rates in targeted populations **Current status:** The bill is still in committee, meaning it's being reviewed but hasn't been voted on by the full Senate yet.

How This Affects You